Impact Georgia, Sept. 2013

In This Issue
1 Savannah Joint Task Force Operation
2 56th GPA Summer Training Conference

September 2013 Newsletter
Savannah Joint Task Force Operation
Contributed by William Driver, Probation Field Operations Manager

Columbus Probation Office Participates in 30th Anniversary National Night Out

3 Recognition of Retirees
Lee Arrendale State Prison Audit Awards
4Winder Joint Task Force
Wilcox State Prison Audit Awards

Task force out serving warrants in Savannah
On August 27-28, the Savannah Joint Task Force was held. The two-day operation had a mission of providing support to the Savannah Chatham County Metro Police Department (SCMPD).
The GDC Joint Task Force functioned under the Operational Control of the SCMPD in direct support of three Savannah areas in order to enhance the safety and security of those Savannah locations by focusing on serving of outstanding warrants and conducting offender compliance checks.
The task force was comprised eight agencies to include Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department, GDC probation operations and one facility tactical squad, State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Chatham County Sheriff's Office, Eastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, Chatham County Counter Narcotics Team, Eastern

Task force members discussing tactics

Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court and Child Support Recovery Unit. There was a total of 114 members operating on day one and 104 members operating on day two.

operation and an additional 40 warrants were served or detainers placed on offenders that were on our warrant list prior to the operation beginning."

The task force was divided into four squads that made up of 14 teams. Squad A, comprised of four teams, was tasked with warrant service in Chatham County. Warrants were for a variety of offenses such as violation of parole and probation and criminal offenses. Squad B, comprised of two teams, was tasked with sex offender compliance checks. Squad C, comprised of seven teams, was tasked with general compliance checks on high risk offenders. Lastly, Squad D, which had one team, was tasked with juvenile compliance checks.
"The operation was a success," said Probation FOM William Driver. "We were able to serve 38 warrants during the two-day

Arrest breakdown: Probationers: 30 Civilian: 7 Parole: 1
Of the 38, six were sex offenders.
"The Savannah Joint Task force afforded us the opportunity to build relationships between the Georgia Department of Corrections, Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff's Department, Board of Pardons and Parole and the Department of Juvenile Justice," said Director of Probation Operations Mike Kraft. "It was a positive exercise that we look to build on in the future."

Have a great story idea?
Send to Gwendolyn Hogan by Sept 23.
Email: hogang00@dcor.state.ga.us
Did You Know...Between the Savannah & Winder JTF operations, the state netted a total of 43 arrests!

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56th Annual GPA Summer Training Conference

Contributed by Mike Sutton, Chief Probation Officer, Fitzgerald Probation Office

L to R: Asst Commissioner Ward, GPA President Mike Sutton, FOM Scot Mulis, GPA Vice President Elwin Smith, Board Member Tommy Rouse and Commissioner Owens. Presentation of Lee Broome Award to FOM Mulis.
On Aug 21-23, the Georgia Probation Summer Training Conference. Over Association (GPA) held its 56th Annual 255 GPA members gathered at Villas

by the Sea on Jekyll Island.
Commissioner Brian Owens and Assistant Commissioners Greg Dozier and Timothy Ward attended the conference and addressed the participants during the three-day training conference.
During the Annual Awards breakfast and ceremony on Aug 23, Field Operations Manager (FOM) Scot Mullis was presented with the prestigious Lee Broome Memorial Award for his work with Probation Operations and for his dedicated service to the association. Additionally, Tracy Gaddis of the Gainesville Probation Office received the GPA IMPACT award for his actions in administering CPR to a dying probationer in his office.
During the conference, scholarships were also awarded. The Joe Williams Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) was

awarded to Probation Officer Chris Wynn of the Fitzgerald Probation Office to assist with his continued education. Claire Garner, daughter of GPA member Mary Jane Garner-Gross, was awarded the Child/Spouse scholarship ($500) to assist with her current eduction in the Criminal Justice field.
Plans are now underway for the 29th Annual Mid-Winter Training Conference, which will be held Feb 26-28 at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia.
Please visit us at www.gaprobationassoc.org. Like us on Facebook: Georgia Probation Association and follow us on Twitter: GPA_GA.

Columbus Probation Office Participates in 30th Anniversary National Night Out

Contributed by Christina Parker, Chief Probation Officer

L to R: PO III Elton Edwards, SO Joe Lee Williams, PO Tranisha Reid and PO Marcus Mosby

L to R: PO III Elton Edwards and PO Marcus Mosby

L to R: SO Joe Lee Williams, PO III Elton Edwards, CPO Christina Parker, PO Marcus Mosby and PO Tranisha Reid

On Aug 6, Chief Probation Officer (CPO) Christina Parker, Probation Officer (PO) III Elton Edwards, PO Tranisha Reid, PO Marcus Mosby and Surveillance Officer (SO) Joe Lee Williams represented the Columbus Probation Office during National Night Out.
National Night Out, America's Night Out Against Crime, began in 1984 in effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camarad-

erie and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. National Night Out program culminates annually, on the first Tuesday of Au-
gust.
There were representatives from all law enforcement agencies to include Columbus Police Department, Muscogee Sheriff Office, U.S. Marshals, Muscogee County Prison, private security companies, Crime Stoppers and Citi-

zens Law Enforcement Academy.
This year, the nation celebrates the 30th Anniversary for the National Night Out. The Columbus Probation Office joined the over 37 million neighbors across 15,000 communities in celebration of this year's National Night Out.
"Being a part of this night was important for the community and the officers because it shows that making a difference is not just locking up the bad

guys, but spreading the message and information to the community so that they can partner with law enforcement to collaborate together to keep the community safe," said CPO Christina Parker.
For more information about National Night Out and how to get involved visit: http://www.natw.org/ or https:// www.facebook.com/nationalnightout

Recognition of Retirees

3

Calendar Events
Thursday, September 5 Board of Corrections Meeting

Thank you Edd Sanders for your 30 years of dedicated service!

Thank you Melvin Knighting for your 29 years of dedicated service!

Thank you Jackie Kelsey for your 34 years of dedicated service!

On Aug 29, the Department held a retirement luncheon for Warden Edd Sanders. Picture L to R: Jackie Kelsey and Commissioner Brian Owens. Commissioner Owens presented
Jackie Kelsey with a Commissioners Coin.

On July 10, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Melvin Knighting.
Picture L to R: Melvin Knighting and Director of Operations Spencer Artman.

On Aug 15, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Assistant Director of Offender Administration Jackie Kelsey. Picture L to R: Jackie Kelsey and Commissioner Brian Owens. Commissioner Owens presented Jackie
Kelsey with a Commissioners Coin.

Thank you Calvin Brown for your 34 years of dedicated service!

Thank you Sylvester Hall for your 10 years of dedicated service!

Thank you Marsha Phillips for your 34 years of dedicated service!

On Aug 20, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Inmate Administration Manager Calvin Brown. Picture L to R: Calvin Brown and Division Director of OPTD Arnold Smith. Division Director Smith presented Calvin
Brown with a Certificate of Appreciation.

On July 31, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Fire Services Chief Sylvester Hall. Picture L to R: Chief Hall and Assistant Commissioner Timothy C. Ward. Asst. Ward presented Chief Hall with the Alumni Award.

On Aug 21, the Department held a retirement ceremony for Accountant Parapro Marsha Phillips. Picture L to R: Director of Budget Services Travis Kennedy and Marsha Phillips. Director Kennedy presented Marsha with the
Alumni Award.

Lee Arrendale State Prison Audit

Contributed by Terry Edge, Director Audits and Compliance Unit

Tuesday, September 10 Macon DRC Graduation
Thursday, September 12 BCOT & BPPOT Graduations
Friday, September 13 Firearms Simulator Event at SOSTC
Saturday, September 21 Inaugural 3-On-3 Youth Basketball Tournament
at SOSTC
Tuesday, September 24 Athens DRC Graduation
Thursday, September 26 Pulaski State Prison Faith & Character Based Graduation

youtube.com/user/ GACorrections

L to R: Dir. of Facilities Randy Tillman, Dir. of Audits Dir. of Facilities Tillman, Dir. of Audits and Compliance Edge, Warden Seabolt L to R: Dir. of Facilities Tillman, Dir. of Audits and Com-

and Compliance Terry Edge, Amanda DeLock and and the entire Arrendale security staff.

pliance Edge, Officer Wellborn and Warden Seabolt

Warden Kathy Seabolt

On Aug 8, the Audits and Compliance Unit conducted an audit of Lee Arrendale State Prison. The following employees received awards: Secretary for DW of Security Amanda DeLock received an individual award. She was recognized for her exceptional tracking and SCRIBE entries of incidents reports.

Her process is a model to be followed statewide. The Security Team won the group award. Their overall score in the seventeen security topics was amongst the highest security scores in past twelve months. The discipline of the offenders, sanitation of the facility, and the noticeable high morale among the staff

was the crowning achievement. Outside Detail Officer Wellborn won an individual award. Her log book documentation was very detailed and neatly entered. The detail van was very clean with all required safety measures in place. The offenders were well disciplined. She shows an exceptional work ethic.

facebook.com/georgiacorrections GA_Corrections

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Winder Joint Task Force
Contributed by Trippley Powers, Chief Probation Officer, Winder Probation Office

Officers conducting compliance checks
On Aug 29, Officers from the Winder Police Department, Winder Probation Office, Barrow County Sheriff's Department and the State Parole Office joined forces to conduct field supervision of probationers and parolees in the city limits of Winder.
The Winder Probation Office was assisted by officers and resources from probation offices in both Athens and Lawrenceville.

Officers conducting compliance checks

Winder Police Department

During the operation, 26 officers attempted to make contact with 68 high risk and registered sex offenders to conduct curfew checks and ensure offenders were compliant with all of the conditions of their sentence.
There were 55 interactions conducted with offenders and family members.

warrants along with four felony arrests for Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act and weapons charges.
Approximately two pounds of marijuana was seized along with one firearm and several smaller quantities of other drugs and drug related objects.

Two of the five arrests made were on outstanding probation and parole

The operation was deemed a huge success and plans are already underway for a similar operation in the Fall.

Wilcox State Prison Audit

Check out an article that ran in the Barrow Patch regarding the task force operations: http://barrow.patch.com/ groups/police-and-fire/p/six-arrestedduring-check-of-probationers-andparolees

Contributed by Terry Edge, Director of Audits & Compliance

L to R: Sr Inspectors Kevin Roberts and Elfreida Crawley, Warden Antoine L to R: Kay Lann, Linda Bloodsworth, Jane Lamb, Jessica Smith, Kathy Stanley, DW of L to R: Sr Inspectors Roberts and Crawley, Warden Caldwell, Officer

Caldwell, Monica Banks and FOM Steve Upton.

Admin Marsha Cook, Sr Inspectors Roberts and Crawley, Warden Caldwell, FOM Upton Brown and FOM Upton

On Aug 20-21, the Audits and Compli- and Care and Custody property control. the teamwork and cooperation exhib- minimum number of required tests evance Unit conducted a comprehensive She scored 100% in both areas. She is ited in this group. They scored a 98% ery month. His paperwork is very orga-

audit of Wilcox State Prison. The fol- very organized and has excellent ac- with no critical. CERT Officer Antonio nized and efficient. He is a model to be

lowing employees wonn awards during countability in inmate clothing recovery Brown won an individual award for his followed statewide. Congratulations to

the audit: Property & Supply Supervi- and complete accountability. The Busi- work in inmate drug testing. His system all! You are all an asset to Wilcox State

sor Monica Banks won an individual ness office won the group award. The of drug testing is one of the best in the Prison and the agency!

award for her work in property control auditors were very complimentary of state. He is able to test more than the

MISSION The Department of Corrections creates a safer Georgia
by effectively managing offenders and providing opportunities for positive change
VISION To be recognized as the best corrections organization in the nation.

BRIAN OWENS Commissioner
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Joan Heath Director
Gwendolyn Hogan Managing Editor
Contributors Rachad Hollis, Public Relations & Information Specialist